A. Lawrence Kocher

A. Lawrence Kocher (July 24, 1885 – June 6, 1969) was an American architect, editor, and teacher. He was a pioneering advocate of modern architecture and the preservation of historic landmarks

Education and career In 1909, he studied Bachelor of Arts in history at Stanford University. Subsequently, in 1916 he studied Master of Arts in Pennsylvania State College (M.A. 1916). He is graduated also from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University. His extensive education in both history and architecture informed his forward-thinking approach to consolidation between old and new, and led to his appointment as Director of the McIntire School of Art and Architecture at the University of Virginia.

Kocher is best known in his role as managing editor of Architectural Record from 1927 to 1938, and for shifting the focus of the publication from historic European style architecture to modern building methods and design.

In addition to being regarded as a well-known authority on colonial and modern architecture and history, Kocher grew a successful design practice with Swiss architect Albert Frey. Their collaboration resulted in many notable buildings, including the Aluminaire House, the Fort Salonga Colony, and the Studies Building at Black Mountain College in North Carolina

Partnership with Walter Gropius

Kocher's success as managing editor of Architectural Record and his advocacy of affordable housing led to his collegial friendship with Walter Gropius. Gropius, founder of the German Bauhaus School of Design and visionary champion of the international style, discussed the idea of opening a similar school in America with Kocher. Although the school was never created, Kocher was responsible for attaining a teaching position at Harvard University for Gropius, and thus bringing his influence into the United States. While the men were both seen as the face of the practice, Frey held the primary design role, while Kocher provided mentoring and final analysis.

Major projects

Aluminaire House, with Albert Frey, 1931 Kocher Canvas Weekend House, 1934 Robert L. and Constance Davison Prefabricated House, 1936 Davison House, with John Hancock Callender, 1936 Subhi M. Sadi House, 1936 Colonel William P. and Betty Bogie House, with William Bogie, 1938 Studies Building, Black Mountain College, 1941 Bogie House, with Huson Jackson, 1946